The 2000 Minnesota Twins was the last Twins team in a consecutive string record of eight losing seasons. The team finished with a 69–93 record, with weak hitting but slightly better pitching. One would not have suspected that this team, led by Manager Tom Kelly, would contain the nucleus of Ron Gardenhire's team that will reach the postseason only two years later. Offseason December 13, 1999: Under the Rule 5 draft, the Twins send minor leaguer Jared Camp and cash to the Florida Marlins in exchange for future Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana. January 4: Signed catcher Marcus Jensen as a free agent. Jensen was granted free agency on October 2. January 27: Signed Butch Huskey as a free agent. On July 15, the team traded Huskey to the Colorado Rockies for Todd Sears and cash. Regular season Tampa Bay's Gerald Williams homered on the first pitch thrown in the Metrodome this year. Minnesota's Matt Lawton homered on the Dome's final pitch this year. On April 9, a major league first occurred, when both teams posted innings with back-to-back-to-back home runs. In the sixth, Twins Ron Coomer, Jacque Jones and Matthew LeCroy belted consecutive homers. In the Kansas City Royals' eighth, Carlos Beltrán, Jermaine Dye and Mike Sweeney homered off Twins pitchers Eddie Guardado and Héctor Carrasco. On April 15, Héctor Carrasco gave up Cal Ripken's 3,000th hit, in the Dome. Of the 24 players who have reached that plateau, now three have collected the benchmark hit off Twins' pitching: in 1995, Mike Trombley gave up Eddie Murray's 3,000th hit, also in the Dome. In 1985, Frank Viola watched Rod Carew stroke his 3,000th hit in Anaheim Stadium. On May 10, the club overcame their largest deficit to win. Down 8–1 in the seventh, the Twins finished the nine-inning game with a 10–9 win. Eddie Guardado threw thirteen pitches and collected the win over the Cleveland Indians. The lone representative of the Twins in the All-Star Game was outfielder Matt Lawton. The highest paid Twin in 2000 was Brad Radke at $3,500,000; followed by Matt Lawton at $2,000,000. Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, and Calvin Griffith were the inaugural inductees in the Twins Hall of Fame. Offense The most solid offensive year came from the team's lone all-star representative, right fielder Matt Lawton. Lawton hit .305 with 13 home runs, 88 RBI, and 23